In this cool bouquet for a gloomy spot, we combine lime-leaved coleus and silver-edged tulbaghia with euphorbia and golden bidens, both of which will keep on blooming whatever the weather. It’s ideal for a shady window-ledge, steps or a low wall, as it needs only a few hours of sun a day to maintain its lush and flowery look.
For added drama, try substituting the variegated tulbaghia with black lilyturf, Ophiopogon nigrescens.
Position the window box where you want it, place a layer of crocks at the bottom, then three-quarters fill with compost. Arrange the plants, firm well and top up with compost, then water well.
Lavender and thyme herbs emit a delicate fragrance. Position this hanging basket near the patio or a window so you can catch its scent on the wind. Choose a dwarf lavender, such as the compact ‘Bella Series’, as the centrepiece and surround it with one or several different varieties of thyme for a good mix of colour and flavours. Yo
In this simple container display we combine Lavender ‘Hidcote’ with purple-flowered pansies. The green glazed pot brings out the colour of the foliage, which contrasts beautifully with the purple blooms. Inexpensive and long-lasting, it’s the perfect pot for a sunny corner. You Will Need
Create a jumble of flowers for a hanging basket full of cottage-garden charm. It’s also a way of making a big impact and injecting colour into a space. Petunias, geraniums, verbena and diascia all add to this informal scheme. When planting a hanging basket, choose a colour theme and stick to it – here a strict mix of pink and purple create a traditional look with a modern twist. Cram as many plants as possible into your basket – that will give you the best possible chance of creating an explos
In this stylish pot, a purple osteospermum and hebe combine with a green fern for a classy, long-lasting display. The striking, colourful foliage of the hebe complements the flowers. Choose plants that vary in height to make a display with interest at all levels – ferns are ideal for the ‘backbone’ of a pot. The fern that we’ve used, Dryopteris affinis, is semi-evergreen, and the hebe is evergreen, which means you could switch the osteospermum for a winter bedding plant when summer ends.